The dense storm clouds drew the attention of nearly everyone outdoors in the surrounding area. The Ring Arcanists in downtown Huntington almost all sensed that terrifying power.
Then, atop the mansion roof shrouded in near-total darkness, a fiery red light flared before their eyes.
Emma Sylvia felt the hand holding hers loosen. Firelight rose before her, and she widened her eyes as she saw Shade's back moving forward. Amid the gale and darkness, fine cracks spread across his body, while fiery red light like burning embers trailed behind him in scattered sparks.
Feeling the heat of that fire from so close, she was completely certain that it was the "Primordial Fire."
"That is..."
Shade understood what was inside that brass box, and he also understood what was about to happen. Miss Sylvia reached out, trying to stop him, but Shade merely flung his item-filled coat toward the Great Witch.
He stuffed the leaf into his mouth and, amid the Witch's alarm and the horrified expressions of the Father, the Bloodkin, and the Princess, leaped willingly into the cloud-covered sky.
Thunder exploded. Bolts of black lightning within the clouds finally converged into Dark Black Thunder and struck downward.
Even those fighting in the courtyard looked up at the rooftop in unspoken agreement, watching the fire-lit figure collide with the thunder.
Rumble!
After the deafening boom came utter silence. The horrifying mental pressure vanished completely, and the storm clouds overhead immediately dispersed, revealing the brilliant starry sky once more. Only the ringing in their ears proved that what had just happened was no illusion. Only the Ring Arcanists could see that streaks of lightning still flickered faintly beneath that sky.
Thud!
Shade, smoke rising from his body, crashed heavily onto the rooftop from high above. At that moment, the moonlight of the